Unfortunately, that was when Gideon pulled back. As he gazed down at her face, his eyes darkened with desire. She could tell that he ached for her just as much as she ached for him.
"How was your good morning kiss?" He smiled before rolling off of her.
It took her several seconds to think again.
"It was good, but I don't think it counts as a good morning kiss," she said. "It's afternoon."
"Close enough." He grinned and placed his hand on her stomach. "After all, you just woke up."
Fair point.
"You broke the bed rules, you know." She tried to sound like she cared, which she didn't. "No kissing in bed."
"What can I say, I'm a rebel." Gideon chuckled. "Now come here."
Before she could blink, Gideon pulled her into his arms and cradled her. Her heart pounded wildly again. She knew that as long as she was with Gideon, her heart rate would never return to normal. Not that it mattered. She was just glad to be with him. Hopefully, nothing would ever split them up again.
"You don't have any more secrets, right?" She wanted to make sure she had no cause to worry about their future.
"Well, there's a unicorn in my closet," Gideon said solemnly.
"Unicorn?" Nora shot out of his arms.
Gideon laughed so hard the bed vibrated. That was when she realized he was pulling her leg.
"Jerk." She punched his shoulder.
"Did you really think there was a unicorn in my closet?" Gideon grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the bed again.
"If you can sprout wings from your back, it's not so farfetched to believe that there are horses with horns," she said.
"You're going to keep me entertained for a long time." Gideon snorted and kissed the top of her head. "There isn't a unicorn."
After she wrinkled her nose, she shoved thoughts of unicorns from her mind. Instead she once again thought about a much more practical topic—their future.
"Can we really be together?" she asked.
"Of course we can," Gideon said without hesitation.
"God worked so hard to get you back," she said. "What if he calls you to heaven and we have to split up again?"
"That's not going to happen," Gideon said. "You were made to be with me."
"How can you be so sure?" she asked.
"I've spent the last four hundred and thirty-five years in punishment. I still have another sixty-five years to go before I can even enter heaven again. Just because I repented doesn't change the fact I'm being punished." He held her closer. "Would you like to know how long you have left to live?"
"What?" She stared at him.
"Do you want to know?" he asked.
"I…I guess." Knowing something like that seemed frightening.
"Sixty-five years, Nora," Gideon said. "You're going to live until you're ninety-three. The date of your death coincides exactly with the end of my punishment. Do you think God would have made it that way if he didn't want us to be together? No, of course not. We were meant to be together. I'm going to love you every moment for the rest of your life. And when you go to heaven, I'll be at your side then too."
At first she could scarcely believe what Gideon was saying, but then she did. God had planned all of this from the beginning. He made them meet right when they were supposed to so they would never have to spend a day apart. On top of that, she'd so often wondered why she'd been unlucky enough to have parents who abandoned her. Now she knew why. Due to her abandonment, she'd learned to value her chastity and refused Gideon. That was the reason he first followed her around…and then fell in love with her.
God's plan was perfect. There were no flaws, no imperfections. Even though there had been many bumps on the road to loving Gideon, she was now happier than she could have ever imagined possible. God had envisioned a wonderful future for her, a future more glorious than she'd even imagined for herself. All of her suffering was worth it because it brought her to this point. She'd never doubt or fear again.
At that moment a tear slipped out of her eye.
"We're really going to spend the rest of our lives together, aren't we?" Nora said.
Gideon picked up her hand and laid a kiss on her palm.
"We'll be together for more than the rest of our lives. We'll be together forever," he said. "It doesn't matter where you are, heaven or earth, I'll always be with you. And I don't think God wanted it any other way."
As she lay in bed, holding the man she loved close, she wondered, Can it get any better than this? She realized that if it did, her heart might explode. Submerged in happiness, she stared at Gideon. He smiled warmly back at her and placed gentle kisses along the back of her hand. Between every kiss, he whispered her name. After he reached her wrist, he breathed out a sad sigh.
"I wish we could stay in bed all day," he said.
"Can't we?" she asked.
"I don't think your cat would be too happy if we did," he said. "The animal has run around the bed three times already while you were asleep. I think he wants food."
"Chubby and Mr. Fleas." She flew into the sitting position, ashamed that she hadn't thought of the welfare of her animals right away. "Amon didn't hurt them?"
"No, he didn't. But there's something strange about that," Gideon said. "Did you happen to lock Mr. Fleas and Chubby in the bathroom before we left for the beach? After we came home from the hospital, I found them curled up in the bathtub."
"I didn't lock them in the bathroom." She shook her head.
"Well, somebody did," he said. "And I think that's what saved them."
She gasped and stared heavenward. The perfect plan. While she sat frozen in awe, Gideon climbed out of bed. He laid a kiss on her cheek, pulling her back to reality.
"We really should get up, you know," he said. "Robert is coming by later. He's been texting me all morning. I think the poor guy is about to have an aneurism."
"Robert?" She frowned. "Why would he text you?"
"He wants to have a man-to-man talk," Gideon said.
"What?" She gasped. "Why?"
"I made you cry, so he's mad." Gideon looked pained even as he said the words. "I'm sure he's going to rant awhile."
"But we're back together now," she said.
"Yeah, I told him that over the phone. I'm guessing he just wants to make sure I treat you right." Gideon grinned again. "Which I fully intend to do, you know."
"You'd better," she said. "I can be a heck of a lot scarier than Robert when I want to be."
"Of that, I have no doubt…sweetheart," Gideon said.
"How many times do I have to tell you, no nicknames!" She shook her fist at him.
"Even now?" He looked disappointed.
"Even now." She frowned at him.
"Tsk, tsk." He gave an exasperated sigh, but held out his hand.
Even as her eyebrow twitched, she accepted his hand…just like she knew she would be doing for the rest of her life—and beyond.
****
After Nora took a shower and brushed her teeth, she studied her reflection with a frown. It was funny how her life could spin so far out of control and then come to a screeching halt. Still she much preferred being at peace with the man—no, the angel—she loved.
Angel, she thought, eyeballing her reflection. I don't think I'm ever going to get used to thinking of Gideon as an angel.
As she frowned, she padded out of the bathroom. She heard Gideon speaking to someone in the kitchen. Who the heck is he talking to? she wondered, wandering over. When she reached the kitchen, she lingered in the threshold. Gideon was talking to Mr. Fleas and Chubby. The dog wagged his tail and the cat pressed his fat body against his legs, purring up a storm. Gideon was holding what appeared to be deli meat and was handing out pieces to each animal in turn.
"They like you now," she said.
She didn't think their affection had anything to do with roasted turkey, though a little bribery did help.
"They must have noticed the change in me," Gideon said. "When I was a guardian
, animals always loved me. After I fell, that changed. Animals are smart enough to sense what I am."
"Well, it looks like you don't have to worry anymore," she said.
Mr. Fleas was lapping at Gideon's hand, his tail wagging so frantically that she thought he just might start flying.
"Ugh, about the dog…" Gideon made eye contact with her. "He doesn't actually have fleas, does he?"
"No, I just named him Mr. Fleas because he falls over when he scratches himself." She snorted.
"Just wanted to make sure," Gideon said.
"I should have told you he's flea infested to get back at you for your unicorn comment," she muttered.
"I'm glad to see you're a spitfire again," he said.
"I'll always be a spitfire." She winked.
"Good." He grinned rakishly at her. "I'd hate to spend the rest of eternity with a nice, ordinary woman."
"Hey." She glowered, half wishing she could shoot lasers from her eyes.
"There's the scowl I love so much," he said. "My skin is practically melting off."
Just as she was about to retaliate, the doorbell rang. Gideon kissed her forehead as if she wasn't glaring daggers at him and then skipped off to answer the door. As she bent down to pet Chubby—Mr. Fleas had decided Gideon was his new best friend and followed him—she heard the sound of loud talking in the hallway. It was Robert and he didn't sound happy. Uh-oh.
Wincing, she padded into the hall just as Robert stepped inside.
"Robert," she said.
"Nora, thank goodness you're okay," Robert said. "Chloe called and said there was some sort of altercation at her house. Unfortunately, she didn't explain much. That woman needs to be less vague."
"Is her husband okay?" She'd feel awful if he'd been hurt because of her.
"Chloe says he's fine," Robert said.
"Does she know I'm alright too?" The poor woman probably thought she was dead.
"Yeah, she does. When I told Gideon I was going to kick his butt, he said that you were at his place and had already made up with you," Robert said. "I called Chloe right away to let her know."
She breathed a sigh of relief. One less phone call for her to make. Unfortunately, her happiness was short lived. Gideon hadn't mentioned that Robert had threatened him.
"I'm glad you told her I'm okay, but there will be no butt kicking," she said. "I'm fine. Gideon and I, ugh, have come to an understanding."
"That's all well and good, but I still see you as a little sister." Robert cracked his knuckles and turned toward Gideon. "I see it as my job to lay down the law with your boyfriends."
"Robert, no." Good grief, she was going to strangle him.
"It's okay, Nora." Gideon held up his hand. "If Robert wants to hit me, I'll let him. It's what I deserve for making you cry."
Despite Robert's knuckle cracking, she had a feeling the guy had never intended to throw a punch. Robert looked like a deer in headlights.
"You're going to let me punch you?" Robert frowned.
"I deserve it." Gideon pointed at his face. "Go on."
"Gideon, stop it," she said through clenched teeth.
"Nora, I'll be fine." Gideon glanced at her. "Go on, Robert. It will make you feel better."
"Well, okay…" Robert clenched his fist. "I'm going to do it."
"I know." Gideon nodded.
"I really am." Robert was staring at him desperately.
"Go on," Gideon said.
As Nora watched in exasperation, Robert groaned and threw the punch. When the man's fist collided with Gideon's jaw, she heard an awful crack. Gideon stood as unmoving as a statue as Robert howled in pain, clutching his swollen fist. Nora shook her head and rushed to her friend's side. When she grabbed Robert's fist, she saw that it was swollen and red. She guessed that shouldn't have surprised her. Punching Gideon was the equivalent of hitting a brick wall.
"Oh, Gideon, how could you?" She threw a dirty look at him.
"I didn't throw the punch." Gideon shrugged, though she could tell he was fighting back a smile.
While Robert staggered around, she found it hard to fight down a smile too.
"Is your face made out of iron?" Robert winced as he straightened up.
"I've always been hardheaded." Gideon winked at Nora.
"Figuratively and literally," she muttered under her breath.
Gideon heard her and grinned.
"Man, I'm glad that's over." Robert shook his hand. "Still you and I need to have a talk, Gideon."
"Okay." Gideon nodded.
Now that he'd recovered, Robert had his bravado back. The man poked Gideon in the chest threateningly, even though he'd almost knocked himself over throwing a punch.
"Nora is family to me," Robert said. "If you make her cry again, I'll beat you even worse than I did today, comprende?"
Judging by how Gideon's lip twitched, the man was fighting back a laugh.
"I completely understand," Gideon said, feigning soberness. "I assure you that I intend to never make Nora cry again."
The words seemed to appease Robert because he nodded. Nora thought he looked a little relieved too. Probably he was frightened of trying to beat up Gideon again.
"What are your intentions toward Nora anyway?" Robert crossed his arms.
"My intentions?" Gideon glanced at her.
"Uh-huh." Robert nodded.
"I'm going to marry her, of course." Gideon seized Nora and pulled her to his side. "The sooner, the better."
His words made her suck in air and start to choke. As Robert's eyes widened in shock, she grabbed onto Gideon's shirt, unable to catch her breath as she hacked. Gideon merely patted her on the back as he gazed at her best friend.
"I had no idea you were this serious," Robert said.
"Oh, I am." Gideon grinned warmly at her. "I know that Nora and I haven't been together long, but sometimes you just known when things are meant to be."
"Well…I…ugh…" Robert looked like he was torn between maintaining his protective big brother stance and being delighted. "That's great. I guess I don't need to worry."
"No, you don't." Gideon laid a kiss on her forehead. "Right, Nora?"
Dumbfounded, she stared at Gideon.
"Nora?" Gideon squeezed her shoulder.
She still couldn't manage a response.
"I think I paralyzed her." Gideon looked at Robert. "I suppose the thought of marrying a great guy like me made her go into shock."
His words revived her brain instantly.
"You oaf." She stepped on his foot.
As Gideon sucked in air, Robert clucked.
"Are you sure you want to marry her?" Robert asked.
"Robert." She scowled at him threateningly.
"Oh, I'm sure." Gideon grinned. "I have a few tricks to make her calm down when she's irrationally angry."
"Gideon." She glared at him instead.
"You'll have to teach me some of those tricks," Robert said.
"If you use any of them, I'd have to punch you. They're of an intimate nature." Gideon winked. "One of them is silencing her with a kiss."
I'm going to kill him…
"So it's those kinds of tricks." Robert looked thoughtful. "Well, I wouldn't kiss her again, that's for sure."
"Guys," she sputtered.
"I'm glad," Gideon said, ignoring her. "I'm the jealous type."
"I don't think you have to worry too much," Robert said. "She scares most men away."
"I can't believe this," Nora said. "Just a second ago Robert threw a punch and now you're both ganging up on me. What kind of relationship is this?"
"We're just having a bit of fun." Gideon winked.
"Fun my butt," she muttered, crossing her arms. "Hmph."
As Gideon faced her, she scowled up at him. He placed his hands on her shoulders and then pressed his lips against hers. At first she kept her mouth firmly closed—she was still aggravated, after all—but then he snuck his hand around her waist, rocking her closer. She wasn't sure what made her f
inally loosen up, but she thought it had something to do with his sweet smell and the way his lips expertly danced over hers. One second she was stiff against him, the next she was putty in his arms. As she sighed, Gideon stepped away and patted her head affectionately.
"See." Gideon grinned at Robert. "She's calm now. A kiss works every time."
Robert started clapping.
"Who's calm?" She punched him in the shoulder.
As Gideon frowned at her, Robert snorted and shook his head.
"I don't know why I was ever worried about you two," Robert said. "You're perfect for each other."
"We really are, aren't we?" Gideon grinned.
Even as she shot him a glare, she managed a begrudging nod. Some things were too obvious to deny.
****
That evening, Nora stood with Gideon outside of a sandwich shop. Gideon was humming and looked five seconds away from breaking into song. She couldn't help but grin too as he squeezed her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.
"Do you want to eat outside or inside?" Gideon asked, still beaming.
The temperature was warm today. Soaking up the sun sounded far more entertaining than eating indoors.
"Outside," she said. "We can eat at the park across the street."
"Good choice." Gideon beamed and pecked her lips.
Several people stared.
"You're different now," she blurted out before she could stop herself.
"Am I?" Gideon cocked his head.
"You seem happier than before," she said.
"I am happier." Gideon pulled her against him. "Do you know how guilty I felt keeping secrets from you? I wanted to tell you everything, but I was worried what would happen if I did."
"It was a pretty big secret." She didn't think she'd ever get used to the fact he was an angel.
"Precisely." Gideon tugged at a strand of her hair. "Now that my secrets are out in the open, I don't have anything to worry about."
"I don't know about that. You still have to worry about me murdering you," she said. "When you were ganging up on me with Robert, I was contemplating tossing you out a window."
"I think I'd even enjoy being tossed out a window if you were the one doing the tossing," he said.
"Well, I—I—" she sputtered, wondering how he could use a death threat as an opportunity to flirt.
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